VOICE OF THE PEOPLE | JUNE 16, 2014

An artist’s concept of the proposed 22nd Commerce Square development in Halifax. “I dearly hope that this design does get built,” writes Aubrey Fricker. “I can envisage it becoming iconic — featured in publicity about Halifax — drawing visitors here.” (LYNDON LYNCH ARCHITECTS)

Architectural memorial

The 22nd Commerce Square design is startling. As Roger Taylor wrote (June 10), it is not surprising that the Heritage Trust is challenging it. And Claire McIlveen’s opinion (June 12 column) that it is a bad design will be shared by many. What is also fascinating is that the developer has gone to the Supreme Court to challenge the city’s treatment of the Nova Centre project.

Ms. McIlveen attributes the startling design to the “heritage-development feud.” She tries to strike a balance between the value of our heritage and the developers’ interest in profits. She says that most of the developers really want to work with the community. They certainly didn’t 10 or 15 years ago. The growth of the community consultation “charettes” has been a direct outcome from this “feud.”

The “feud” is now a distinctive part of Halifax’s history and culture. It should be fittingly commemorated.

I dearly hope that this design does get built. I can envisage it becoming iconic — featured in publicity about Halifax — drawing visitors here.

Then we and they will be able to view this striking memorial, and snigger at us.

Aubrey Fricker, Halifax

Core group required

Gail Lethbridge’s June 7 critique of the One Nova Scotia Coalition accurately sums up my concerns about the initiative.

As a founding commissioner of the Newfoundland Economic Recovery Commission, I have been concerned from the outset that if the Nova Scotia initiative is to be successful, it must have a small group of energetic individuals who are not afraid to think outside the box and who are willing to challenge the status quo at every turn.

That means a hands-on approach in every corner of the province where individuals, groups and communities are challenged to begin initiatives that will be successful when started locally. Such challenges have to be on a day-to-day basis, confronting the bureaucracy, the politicians and even financial institutions when required.

The current members of the coalition are all well experienced and competent, but they do not have the time to spend every day in rural Nova Scotia challenging people to change and to accept the opportunities that they often dream about but never initiate.

That was the strength of the Newfoundland exercise. Its weakness was that the full cabinet was never involved at the outset, and as a result, there was a lot of resistance to change.

Ray Ivany and his group have ensured that the full cabinet is onside and that is essential in ensuring that the bureaucracy will not be able to resist change when required.

Ms. Lethbridge also said that the goals be short-term and she is correct. Long-term goals will be forgotten if there is not some early success.